I’m pregnant with my second child and loved reading your Early Childhood advisory on swaddling. I didn’t swaddle my first born as there are many myths and superstitions about swaddling infants. Thanks to paediatrician Dr. Yogesh Kumar Gupta for setting the record straight.

After reading his excellent suggestions on the right way to swaddle infants and the benefits thereof I feel confident about trying it with my second child.

Mercy James

Chennai

Media spreading panic

Since the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic hit India, there is constant talk in the media of the likelihood of children being infected with the virus this time. Indeed there is a flood of reports about the impending third wave targeting children. All these reports are generating great fear among parents. Is there any scientific basis behind the prediction that the third wave will be more dangerous for children? I don’t think so.

I consulted our paediatrician on this matter. She pointed out that even though during the second wave many children have been exposed to the virus through family members, the rate of infections among children is still low. And the few children who test positive are mostly asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. So the third wave also is unlikely to affect children as much as people fear.

The media should refrain from printing unsubstantiated news about the virus especially when it concerns children. Already there is so much fear and panic about the pandemic. Please don’t make it worse.

Vidhi Sindhu

Mysuru

Don’t dismiss pandemic anxiety

Thank you for your timely cover story ‘Enabling children to cope with pandemic anxiety’ (EW May).

Children have many fears related to the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic which has upended our lives. Parents should not dismiss them as something trivial that children will get over in course of time. After more than one year of online classes, my teenage son is so frustrated that he believes that he will never see his friends and go back to school again. It’s difficult to calm his anxieties because of the uncertainty that I feel about the pandemic situation as well.

My younger nine-year-old son keenly watches all the television coverage about the pandemic and worries about his grandparents’ health and well-being. Of late, with the second wave visiting misery all round, he has become reticent and doesn’t talk about his fears. Moreover with the lockdown in force, children can’t engage in any outdoor activity. This adds to their gloom and doom.

Brijeena Malwar

Bengaluru

Ease children’s pandemic stress

Your May cover story on enabling children to cope with pandemic anxiety was informative and useful. Information overload about the pandemic is playing havoc with the mental well-being of children. They are scared not only for the physical health of their parents and loved ones, but have to confront financial insecurity because parents are suffering jobs and income loss. It’s a sad situation for children, especially since schools are also closed. They have no social outlet.

The suggestions made by psychologist Dr. Anju Soni to help children cope with anxieties generated by the pandemic and lockdowns are excellent and easy to implement. Parents should do everything they can to ease children’s stress during this difficult era.

Manvi Nayak

Pune

Publish children’s work

During the lockdown, it’s a big challenge to keep children meaningfully engaged in non-digital activities.

Therefore I must appreciate PW’s Kidzone section and the many DIY activities featured. It would also be great if you can publish select paintings and other art and craft done by children. Such publicity will encourage them to engage in creative non-digital DIY activities.

Suhani Sen Basu

Mumbai